Council’s rent policy for Childrens Centres ‘unhelpful’

DESPITE winning a grant of £10,000 to help keep Thame’s Childrens Centre open, the community group putting together a business plan to secure its future, is fearful for its longer term sustainability.

Image courtesy of Action for Children, the natioal charity that runs the Red Kite Childrens Centre in Thame

Speaking on behalf of Thame Sharing Life Trust, John Hulett told Thame.net: “The county council’s Cabinet is expected to propose tomorrow that instead of a one-year waiver on the rent of buildings used by the county’s Childrens Centres, only a six month breathing space will be given to those centres who have come up with a viable business plan.

‘Giving with one hand and taking with the other’

“We believe that the rent of the thame building – £6,600 per year – should be waived for at least a year because of the enormous cost involved in setting up a community initiative. Yes, we have been awarded £10,000 from the ‘Transition’ fund for the first three years by Oxfordshire County Council, but it is not helpful, the say the least, for them to want to charge us rent for running a service for them. This amounts to giving with one hand and taking away with the other! What is the point of offering it if they will be taking it back?

Longer term prospects for the Thame centre

“Whilst we are confident that we can run the Red Kites Children Centre for a year, if we have to pay some of the money back, this will severely curtail some of the other things we want to do.”

Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet is expected to make a decision on the rent waiver proposal at its meeting tomorrow (Tuesday) and John Hulett will be making his point in person at the meeting.

Local charity Sharing Life Trust is leading a working group with other local agencies to see if the Red Kite Children’s Centre can be saved from closure by Oxford County Council, planned for the end of March, 2017, along with 41 others.

Benefits to families

The Red Kite Centre has been providing services for the under 5’s and their parents for the last 10 years at its base in Southern Road, Thame, the former library building. A recent survey showed that 82% of 1,150 eligible children accessed the service in Thame or Chinnor, with 95% of parents who attend the centre reporting an improved outcome for them and their children.

“We’re at an advanced stage of developing a business plan to continue providing the vital universal care services which also can highlight developing problems which may require specialist help,” said the centre in a recent statement, appealing for more help.

“We’re going to need up to £90,000 a year, and, in order to not lose existing staff we must make a decision by Christmas on whether this is a viable project. Following confirmation of a grant from the County Council and other providers we believe that we’ve got over half what we need for Year One.”

‘Dedicated team’

John Hulett concluded: “Amy Spicer, the Centre Leader, and her dedicated team have provided invaluable support to so many families with young children in our area and we want to ensure this continues. For this to happen we need the help of the whole community so please get in touch and show your support.”

What can you do to help?

Just a willingness to be asked for help when its needed is basically what is being asked for. Just your contact details is all that is necessary if you would like to make a pledge. The Trust will follow up with you when it is ready to go. Just visit the website at www.sharinglifetrust.org and then click on the ‘Save the Red Kite Children’s Centre’ button on the home page and register your interest. For enquiries or offers of other resources, email: info@sharinglifetrust.org. If you prefer you can phone using the Freephone number: 0300 201 0212